Live Winter Storm Updates
Local Closures and Cancellations:
Town of Westport Public School weekend programs and sports (Saturday & Sunday)
Town of Westport Public Library (Saturday)
The Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club (Saturday)
Earthplace (Saturday)
Westport Weston YMCA (Saturday)
MoCA Westport (Saturday)
The Porch at Christie’s (Saturday)
La Plage (Opening at 5:00 PM on Saturday)
Sherwood Diner (Saturday)
Active Weather Warnings, Advisories, and Watches:
Winter Storm Warning: Effective 7:00 PM Friday until 7:00 PM Saturday.
From the National Weather Service, NYC: 5 - 10” of snow and strong winds likely across NYC, NE NJ, SW CT and much of Lower Hudson Valley Tonight into Saturday Afternoon. Difficult travel and blowing snow possible.
Minor to locally moderate coastal impacts are possible for the vulnerable twin forks, north shore of LI and north shore of barrier island shoreline communities for the Saturday AM/PM and Sunday AM high tides.
Confidence is increasing on forecast snowfall, but there is still uncertainty on the western extent and/or duration of moderate and heavy snow banding late tonight into Saturday
Numbers to Know:
Emergency: 911
Eversource: Report a power outage: text “OUT” to 23129; call 800-286-2000; online www.eversource.com/CustomerCare/ReportOutage.
Westport Police: Non-Emergency: 203-341-6000
Westport Fire Department: Non-Emergency: 203-341-5000
Westport Public Schools: Emergency Line: 203-341-1766
Westport Department of Human Services: Social Services: 203-341-1050
Snow: Is this it?
For the lack of a better word: yup.
Hype was building for this storm nearly ten days ago - declaring it possibly one of the largest storms, by accumulation, that we’ve seen in the past decade. However as the sun prepares its descent and Westporters begin to climb out of their shelters tonight, one might notice there isn’t several feet of snow on the ground, or 18 inches, or in some yards: even just 8 inches. With snow bands making their way eastward, most chances of accumulation snow will have gone with the wind by 8 this evening. Although no official counts have been released, those same high winds are making the task of measuring the light snow even more challenging.
This weather pattern was difficult to track, as the National Weather Service’s NYC office had described yesterday, however it seems that their forecast of anywhere from 5-10 inches was about what most of Westporters are experiencing tonight. Wind forecasts were accurate as heavy gusts continue to bring wind chills below zero in the community.
As of 5:00 PM major roadways, such as Route 1, Route 15, and I-95, are mostly cleared of heavy snow accumulations in at least one travel lane, but remain very slick with residual snow and ice. Many side streets and private roadways may still remain snow covered as crews try to tackle the frigid surfaces and rapidly growing snow drifts. Some sidewalks within major business or transit zones are also in the process of becoming shoveled and salted, however they also remain very slick with ice and snow drifts.
Some local businesses are opening their doors tonight for dinner service - be sure to call the business directly for operating hours while being aware that parking in business districts may be diminished.
Cold Conductor
A Metro North train operator was bundled up as they visualized the platform as the New Haven bound train departed Saugatuck’s station. WestportLocal.com photo
Cardinal Color
A male cardinal adds a burst of vibrant red colour to an otherwise whitewashed day in Westport’s Saugatuck neighborhood. Photo by Hugo Jacques, Staples High School student, for WestportLocal.com